Typhoid (or enteric) fever is a fever of the intestines. It is due to some small glands in the intestines, small as well as large. Accumulation of toxic waste for a longer period is the cause of that inflammation.
Constant constipation, wrong living and irregularities in eating, such as more of meat and flesh foods irrespective of hot weather, can also be the causes of this inflammation and hence the fever.
Thus it is more a disease of the hot country. This fever takes a longer period to develop. It begins with a tired feeling, loss of appetite, headaches, nausea and diarrhoea.
The tongue gets coated, Bleeding from the nose is also a symptom. Frequent chills followed by sweatings are experienced. One does not take notice of these symptoms and the fever goes on taking roots.
Even diagnosis is also misleading. Initially it may be taken as malaria and wrongly handled. In this way some precious days are lost.
The behaviour of the fever is such that at the outset it is mild and even gets down. One feels cured and cares little for any preventive measures, also going on with daily work.
As it develops, it is about normal in the morning hours, but rises with the day and shoots even upto 104°F in the evenings. It is a fever which tries one’s patience, as it lasts longer.
Treatment
In typhoid also the same treatment as advised in the case of common fever should be continued, beginning with fast and enema. Fasting gives rest to the intestines.
The heat of the fever oxidises the toxic material in the intestines, curing their inflammation. One should be very particular and careful in diet during the convalesence period, as it can relapse also.